Saving Money, Helping Clean the Environment

I used the new Cordless Electric Lawnmower today. Wow, I didn't know an electric mower could be so powerful and quiet (sh....).  I used it for over half an hour with no decrease in power. I'm hooked and at an estimated $0.10 per charge, I can mow the lawn 20 times for the cost of a gallon of gas. I used to mow the lawn on about a quart of gas, so 4 quarts to a gallon. You do the cost saving math. And of course, the real conservationist would use a solar panel to recharge the battery. Even if it took a few days to charge, I seldom would mow more than once a week. Good all around. less noise, less pollution, less cost, what's not to like about that.

Lawnmower Blues

I've got those lawnmower blues. Happens in the spring, when you try to start the mower and "nothing". 

This year I tried to revive a mower that broke over 6 years ago due to a broken shaft key. Well after replacing the shaft key, I put gas in and it poured out the primer ball due to a stuck float in the carborator. After taking it apart and cleaning, I again put gas in and at least it didn't leak, but the mower didn't start. I have changed the air filter, spark plug, again cleaned the carb, but still nothing. I'm giving up and getting a new cordless electric. Ever hear "plug in electrical." It's better for the environment anyway.

Went Camping with the Boy Scouts this Weekend

Friday night we hiked in to the Marsden Tract Group Camping sites between Carderock and Great Falls on the C&O Canal near DC. On Saturday, we drove to the start of the C&O Canal Trail Mile Marker 0 where Rock Creek meets the Potomac River. From there we rode 35 miles to White's Ferry where the vehicles were waiting. In all 9 scouts rode the 35 miles including 3 of our newest recruits who are 11 years old. Just don't tell them that 11 year olds can't ride that far. 

From White's Ferry it was a drive to Washington Monument (the one in Maryland along the AT). We camped Saturday night at the Dahlgren Camp on the AT. Sunday morning after Scouts Own Services, we drove to Antietam Creek, just above Burnside Bridge, did a quick vehicle move then canoed 6 miles on Antietam Creek to where it meets the Potomac River. 

Great weather, good friends, eager scouts, what a great weekend.

Repairs Night

Tonight I fixed the trailer light and cleaned my bicycle. Getting ready to take the scouts out riding this weekend. We're planning a ride on the C&O Canal from DC (mile 0) to Whites Ferry (mile 36) on Saturday. Then camp at Dahlgren Camp on the AT Saturday night and Canoeing on Antietam Creek Sunday morning.

Pancake night

I demoed pancake cooking for the scouts tonight. The idea was backpacking so I used "complete" add water only mix and sugar with maple flavoring, add hot water syrup. The boys did the flippin'. All pancakes turned out light fluffy and delicious. It was awesome.

Busy day but not much accomplished

Today included: 84 lap practice swim with wetsuit (first two miles in 68:45), shopping trip to REI to get Shimano pedals and cleats for upcoming bike ride with the scouts next weekend, worked on lawnmower including cleaning stick float in carborator but the lawnmower still won't start, cleaning the grill only to discover additional repairs needed (new burner, new rock grate, new cooking grill, and new rocks), and finally a trip to buy pancake mixes and fixins for cooking demo at scouts on Monday night. I say not much accomplished because I started a lot of jobs but didn't finish much. Oh, well, tomorrow is Easter. Looking forward to friends and family celebrating with us.

Secondary Ferment

I racked the German Pilsner into the secondary fermenter tonight. I think this batch is going to turn out really good. At least the color and initial aroma is good. No taste test yet.

Finally, a "BIG" swim

This morning, I dropped the car off to get new tires, walked to the gym, and then swam for 2:10. I wasn't counting laps but keeping track of lap times it was probably about 3 1/4 miles. The last 15 laps were 5 lap, 4 lap, 3 lap, 2 lap, and 1 lap sprints. I was feeling pretty strong at the end, but just before I stopped to do sprints, the lap times were slowing considerably. And the sprints weren't really sprints based on lap time. I have 2 months to get ready for the Bay Swim which I'm estimating will take between 2:45 and 3:00. Accounting for the last 35 to 50 minutes, I need to do more "BIG" swims to get the additional conditioning. 

Menu for our trip to the Flattops

Fish, fresh from the high mountain stream. 

Backpacking Dinner Demo

New Orleans is a food lover's paradise. One of my favorites is Jambalaya. For backpacking, I use a Jambalaya package from Zataran's. Cook according to instructions on box (recycle the box at home to save weight and trash) Add a foil packet of pre-cooked shrimp during the last five minutes. Serves two. Total weight, less than 1/2 pounds and trash fits in less than a sandwich zip bag.

Backpacking rules 1 and 2, light and simple.

Back home from PA

We spent the weekend in PA at Lloyd and Cathy's. With Collen, Heather, and Jodi in from Alaska, Jay and Eric were also there. Almost a family reunion this weekend.

Beer Brewing Night

Tonight I'm cooking a batch of Pilsner. Since I've never brewed Pilsner before, I'll try to keep you informed on this blog. Did a mile swim tonight in 3 sprints of 12 laps each. The last 12 laps in 12 minutes and 15 seconds is running close to a 36 minute mile if I can keep that pace for the whole mile. It's certainly a good 3 minutes faster mile than I was swimming 3 months ago. Leaving for PA tomorrow, so there might not be any updates until Sunday or Monday.

Wednesday, middle of the week

Long day at work, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Highlight was end of day meeting to figure out a way to end a project that has gone south. 

Baking a cake tonight. I'll take a picture and post it on FaceBook.